Dakota Beacon

Last night, Democratic presidential hopefuls debated many things—including the economy. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have proposed an annual wealth tax on billionaires. Are these proposals problematical? In this article, economist Dr. Mark Hendrickson examines the plans and argues that there are technical and ethical issues in the proposals. He writes, “The three most egregious flaws with proposed ‘billionaire wealth taxes’ are that they are ungrateful, unfair, and un-American.”

Even as our civilization struggles with losing a thousand years of culture to enemies both within and without, one of its greatest pillars - the Catholic Church - is struggling with an internal demon, abuse of the vulnerable.  It's not the demon of "scandal", because scandal is what has been covered up.  It is rather the evil itself, which continues and we can name some of the evil-doers.  And their accomplices.  Now what will happen?

If we continue to bring in an alien culture which cannot tolerate our own we will find we have lost everything we value.

It's Sunday, so we have another special performance.  The Vienna Boys Choir is iconic.  Over the years they have become a link for us with the great musical traditions of Europe.  This is a tradition of 500 years.  Some of our greatest composers have been involved with the Boys' Choir and today the tradition continues, with these young boys traveling throughout the world giving great performances of great music.  Merry Christmas!

Today People, Places and Things goes to Boston's naval yards to visit the U.S.S. Constitution!  You can go there in person and tour the great battleship known as "Old Ironsides" . . . or yo can see her right here!  The U.S.S. Constitution is the world's oldest sailing ship.  She has withstood pitched battles on the high seas, with canon balls literally bouncing off of her mighty sides, taken on the Barbary Pirates and went to work curbing the slave trade off of Africa.  There are some very interesting facts here about her history (did yuou know that Paul Revere forged some of her fittings?).  I hope you enjoy this visit to America's seafaring past.

Our local county commissions, city councils and other local jurisdictions are considering now whether to accept more refugees.  Most will be either inclined to do so or in many cases, bullied into doing so, as was one North Dakota county last week.  So let us understand that we will be having more refugees.  Now let us decide who they will be.  Will they be "refugees" or will they be refugees?  Some who have been given asylum here have not been refugees, but opportunistic migrants.  No crime in wanting a better life, or even wanting what belongs to others (as long as you don't just take it).  But a refugee is one who is persecuted, driven out of his business, his home, his community, his faith, a minority in his homeland.  Let us help these people instead of those who have persecuted them.

Much more may be at stake in this impeachment process for us than for the President.  We must take a close look at its implications for our freedoms.

Corporate media no longer practices journalism as once known. It clearly aligns with the liberal establishment regardless of politician, candidate, or cause. It no longer “holds truth to power” as the saying goes. It is an unchecked power in itself.

Today, the corporate media exists to defend the state. The mainstream media regards itself as part of the state, the unelected fourth branch of government. The media is no longer suspicious, curious, doubtful, or distrustful of government. They see themselves as part of it.

Reality check. The mainstream media has become its own antithesis. Either way, media is still media. A new alternative media is emerging as a synthesis of the old. As you can see, the demise of this whole mainstream media thing is all reasonably explained. Old Hegel wasn’t such a fuddy-duddy after all.

One writer's view of the new Clint Eastwood movie, Richard Jewell.

If we are to bring more refugees into our communities let us make sure that these are not the oppressors, but the oppressed.  

The Left and the students in India are in an uproar over immigration policies.  But India has up-close experience with the social effects of many of the world's religions and understands that if it is not to become Pakistan it must show a willingness to say no.

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR; TRICKLE-DOWN SUGAR; GRAND FORKS OPTIMISM; PLEAS SHOP LOCALLY; NEW NORTH DAKOTA CHIEF JUSTICE; A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT; BISON FOOTBAL KEPT ROLLING; YES AND NO - NDSU IN FCS; THE GRASS IS NOT GREENER; FOOTBALL CUTS - TIP OF THE ICEBERG?; BOBCAT BOY - CARSON WENTZ: REFUGEE QUESINESS; A "LITTLE" MIDGET PROBLEM; DAKTOIDS

Today I give you a great  classical work by Tchaikovsky - the Nutcracker.  If you are a ballet fan you will enjoy the various takes on this classic, if not, please just enjoy this fabulous music!

It is Saturday but the machinery of government goes relentlessly on, and for just a moment I direct your attention to a crisis overseas and its bearing on the kind of crisis we might be brewing up right here in our hometowns.  Do we really want to do this?  Are we so, so arrogant that we really think this doesn't apply to us?  Sadly, like all other human ills, this does indeed apply to us.  We are not some kind of gods who walk between the raindrops.  We will see exactly what Sweden is battling if we follow Sweden's example.  And numbers are all important.  If you think this is not going to a big deal because it's only a "few", think again.  If those "few" are not more interested in being American than they are in bringing their baggage in with them, we will indeed see Sweden's dilemma played out on our street.  We should accept only non-Muslim immigrants because in this way we can provide relief for persecuted non-Muslims around the world.  Sixty or a hundred families today will be a very large number of disaffected people a few years hence.  Aesop told the story of the squirrel who watched the other animals enter the lion's den and when invited in, wisely said, no.  Why not? he was asked.  Because, he answered, I've seen many go in but none come out.  Keep Sweden in mind as you consider where you stand on immigration in your town.

Today's Saturday escape is to the deep South, Alabama, to be precise, but it's not what you think.  If you would like a moment of peace and reflection you will surely enjoy Culman.  Take a break.  Brexit is going to happen, Andrew Scheer is now consigned to his footnote in history, as soon will the the attempted impeachment, unless I'm mistaken, but there is a tiny world where peace reigns and you should try to visit there.

As our counties and communities deliberate about accepting immigrants, there is far more to the matter than the initial costs involved or the initial perceived gains to a community.  We must be aware that decisions made today will affect us for the rest of time - generations to come will live with these decisions and our laws and way of life are a part of the deal.

The Saudi attack at Pensacola is a test of our moral fibre.  If we allow this incident to be covered up and swept under the rug we will deserve the next one and we can be assured it will come.  There is no need for the United States of America to be doing business with A disreputable country of slaves.  Trump says the king will pay families - "take care of them".  This is not going to cut it unless we are so depraved that we will sell our sons for Saudi custom.  

The beat goes on. Other cities capitulate under Democrat rule. The same record of documented squalor is found in San Francisco, 55 years; New York City, 18 years; Los Angeles, 18 years. It’s the same song, second verse.

Racism and capitalism cannot be blamed for the metropolitan decay. Socialist thinking and corruption of liberal Democrat city councils top the list of causes.

Earlier this year, California Governor Gavin Newsome signed a bill allowing California student athletes to sign endorsements while in college. About a month later, the NCAA board of governors voted unanimously to permit student athletes to benefit financially from the use of their name, image and likeness. Is this in the best interest of the students? Does it help them academically? In this article, Dr. James Thrasher digs deeper into the issue of compensating students who participate in sports. Thrasher writes, “The charade of big-name Division 1 football and basketball athletes being in college first and foremost to receive an education has now been fully exposed.”

While we are watching the insane "process" of impeachment going on in Washington, there is another, equally corrupt and perhaps even more wicked, taking place in Spain.

Congress is dismantling our Constitution and destroying the rule of law.

ANDREW ARMACOST; A YOUNG ROCKET SCIENTIST; HIGH EXPECTATION; A JAMESTOWN FARMER/LEGISLATOR; LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES; CONNECTIONS?; LOW PAY FOR ND ATTORNEYS; SOGGY; A PLAN FOR FRONTIER VILLAGE; LOW HIV RATE; FCS PLAYOFFS; DAKTOIDS

Governor Burgum has advised local jurisdictions that they are free to determine whether they will accept "refugees".  Cass County has decided to extend their acceptance of "refugees" and Burleigh County is weighing its options.  First, one would think, would be to determine just what constitutes a "refugee".  The proper definition of a refugee is one who is fleeing persecution in his homeland, not a person seeking greater opportunity in a more advantageous land.  This is crucial.  So, too, is the ability of an immigrant population to assimilate and to accept the laws and the customs of the host country in the long term, and in the case of massive numbers of them.  Where it is easy to absorb a few dozen immigrants across a state, large numbers pose greater risks to the native law and culture.  Immigrants have been the lifeblood of America but we must remember that the conditions which made immigration successful in 1920 are vastly different from the conditions we have today - both in the nature of the immigrants and in our own point in time.

This might take you back to a time when Christmas meant the family gathered around the fire or at the dinner table celebrating an important time together. It is the perfect antidote to Black Friday.  Personally, I have never shopped on Thanksgiving or Black Friday.  I never will, I don't think.  But sit back and enjoy the warmth of what Christmas ought to be instead.

What more could you ask for in an armchair adventure?  Here we have legends of the gods, Incan ruins, the Gateway to the Sun, Lake Titicaca, with floating islands and the people who made them and live on them!  Sunken temples over a thousand years old and the highest navigable lake in the world the largest lake in South America and possibly even alien beings.  Today we visit the border of Bolivia and Peru, high in the Andes.

Guns aren't allowed, so none of this could really have happened, right?  But all things are possible when we permit foreign nationals into our military bases.  This guy was studying here.  Well, not any more.

A sickness is gripping our institutions of learning.  If we don't stop this we will be setting ourselves up for a terrible future.

Is America entering an age where her children and grandchildren will be much less “under God” than their parents and grandparents? A recent Pew Research Center report suggests that many believe it is a good thing that religion is losing influence in American society. In this article, John P. Warren looks at the recent data and writes, “Secular progressives in government—local, state, and federal—have succeeded in ejecting God from the classroom and the public square. Today, everywhere, God is being removed from our daily lives and from the hearts of many who no longer see a need for the Almighty.”

If you are looking for one more front on the social justice war, go and see Last Christmas!  If you are looking for some light-hearted, joyful entertainment, give it a pass.

Can you trust political polling? Not if your life depended on it. And, it just might.

Why is political polling such big news? It is likely that a constant drumbeat over time of poor polling results for a candidate could have a negative effect for them and, inversely, a positive effect for their opponent(s). In the end, the only important poll is the one held on Election Day.

Beyond a doubt, polling is effective when done correctly. Commercial polling for marketing purposes advanced to a fine art generating billions of dollars in sales of goods and services. Political polling not so much. Too many intangible variables tend to garble the message and skew the results.

Does anyone believe that presidential polls this far out will reflect the outcome of the election? More to the point, will political polling sway the electorate substantially this early in the campaign? Consider previous poll projections. Then, you decide.